Peer Support: A Theoretical Perspective

This article offers one theoretical perspective of peer support and attempts to define the elements that, when reinforced through education and training, provide a new cultural context for healing and recovery. Persons labeled with psychiatric disability have become victims of social and cultural os...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatric rehabilitation journal 2001, Vol.25 (2), p.134-141
Main Authors: Mead, Shery, Hilton, David, Curtis, Laurie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cross Cultural Differences
Culture
Human
Humans
Labeling
Mental Disorders
Mental Disorders - psychology
Models, Psychological
Peer Group
Peer Relations
Peer Support
Peers
Perceptions
Psychology
Recovery (Disorders)
Social Isolation
Social Support
Society
Theory
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Summary:This article offers one theoretical perspective of peer support and attempts to define the elements that, when reinforced through education and training, provide a new cultural context for healing and recovery. Persons labeled with psychiatric disability have become victims of social and cultural ostracism and consequently have developed a sense of self that reinforces the "patient" identity. Enabling members of peer support to understand the nature and impact of these cultural forces leads individuals and peer communities toward a capacity for personal, relational, and social change. It is our hope that consumers from all different types of programs (e.g. drop-in, social clubs, advocacy, support, outreach, respite), traditional providers, and policy makers will find this article helpful in stimulating dialogue about the role of peer programs in the development of a recovery based system.
ISSN:1095-158X
1559-3126
DOI:10.1037/h0095032